SpudFiles

I know pvc cement can expire (it turns into something resembling what I'd imagine albino flubber to look like). My question is, does pvc primer expire?

Also, is it safe to mix brands of primer & cement? (i.e., ace hardware primer & home depot cement)

Home Depot doesn't have it's own brand, so it's fine to mix as long as the brands are the same.

does it expire?

Does it say it expires on the container?

If I recall correctly, the primer I have does indeed expire.

Not sure if technically it really does it expire or it's just recommended to get new primer after a period of time due to contamination.

I'm pretty sure it doesn't, but if you notice a change in consistency it might be a good idea just get a new can.

As for mixing brands, I'm pretty sure they all contain the same thing so I can't see any problems arising from mixing them.

I just got a random idea for people who do not have the money, time or are just to lazy to go to the store and buy a new can:
Isnt PVC cement just primer with some PVC in solution in it?
So I mean: would you be able to revive old sluggish cement by adding some primer?

psycix wrote:I just got a random idea for people who do not have the money, time or are just to lazy to go to the store and buy a new can:
Isnt PVC cement just primer with some PVC in solution in it?
So I mean: would you be able to revive old sluggish cement by adding some primer?

Primer and Cleaner/Primer have different solvents and proportions than does glue. You probably can partly revive a not-to-dry can of glue but you really should just pony up the couple bucks to get a new can.

http://www.spudfiles.com/spud_wiki/inde ... VC_Reagent has the typical compositions for Oatey purple primer and glue. 10-14% PVC in PVC glue and the solvents are quite a bit different.

but you really should just pony up the couple bucks to get a new can.

I know. I just wondered IF.
Thanks for the link, didnt know there was such a page.
Which brings up another random question:
Could pure acetone do the job of primer?

its usually an acetone based product that would take one week to dissolve away if left uncovered or about two years for the acetone to expire.

psycix wrote:

but you really should just pony up the couple bucks to get a new can.

I know. I just wondered IF.
Thanks for the link, didnt know there was such a page.
Which brings up another random question:
Could pure acetone do the job of primer?

yes pure acetone can be used for priming... the only difference between the stuff you buy as primer and acetone is the colour base that un-smooths the plastic a bit..

psycix wrote:

but you really should just pony up the couple bucks to get a new can.

I know. I just wondered IF.
Thanks for the link, didnt know there was such a page.
Which brings up another random question:
Could pure acetone do the job of primer?

Based on the Oatey clenaer/primer it looks like it probably could.

You probably would need pretty pure acetone (finger nail polish remover might not work). Acetone is very low boiling and has a fairly high affinity for water. A container that has been opened and closed many times may contain enough water to make the acetone much less affective at cleaning and softening the PVC.

The Oatey cleaner/primer also has a fair amount of MEK (methyl ethyl ketone, acetone's next bigger brother) in it. MEK has a lower vapour pressure and high boiling point than does acetone. Acetone boils at 134F and MEK at 176F (57 and 80C). The MEK may be included so that the cleaner doesn't evaporate from a fitting quite so fast. Omitting it and just using pure acetone might not work quite as well.

Pure acetone, in a tightly closed container really shouldn't ever "expire".

Acetone in an open container will evaporate very quickly and pick up a fair amount of water in the process. In an open cup it will fully evaporate within a day or so.